Synapsis receives first INS Type Approval

press release May 7, 2012

Synapsis Bridge Control is Raytheon Anschütz’ new generation Integrated Navigation System.

Synapsis Bridge Control, the new generation of the Raytheon Anschütz bridge system, is the world’s first navigation system which has been type approved according to IMO’s new Performance Standards for Integrated Navigation Systems (INS). In an official ceremony, the nominated body Germanischer Lloyd (GL) handed over the type approval to Raytheon Anschütz beginning of May 2012.

The INS Performance Standards are specified in the IMO resolution MSC.252(83) and apply to all newbuildings since 1st January 2011 where Integrated Navigation Systems are installed. According to the standards, an INS is required to integrate the tasks of collision avoidance, route monitoring, route planning, navigation control data display, status and data display and a centralized human-machine interface for alert management on multi-functional displays.

Harald Bluhm, who was handing over the type approval on behalf of the GL, states: “The GL is worldwide the first nominated body, which has type-approved an Integrated Bridge System according to the new INS Performance Standards.”

“IMO’s new INS rules are focusing on two subjects: Ease of operation and system safety”, Andreas Lentfer, Director of Business Development at Raytheon Anschütz, adds. By requiring additional functions and a higher degree of system integration, the new standards help making navigation more safe and bridge operations more efficient and simple. Being an essential improvement, every INS is now required to feature a Consistent Common Reference System (CCRS) to provide ship wide consistent sensor information management. The system monitors all navigation sensors and automatically selects the best available data. Another major improvement is the new intelligent handling and processing of alarms, warnings and cautions within a centralized alert management system, which helps to avoid unnecessary multiple alerts on the bridge – a real relief of stress for the watch officer.

A key element of Synapsis Bridge Control are new Multifunctional Workstations, which can replace stand-alone displays like ARPA Radars, ECDIS or Conning displays. Standardized hardware and software allow customizing bridge systems for any ship’s requirements in a standardized, but flexible matter. Thereby, a newly developed software framework not only controls all configurations, functional tasks and displays of the bridge workstations but also provides flexibility for system upgrades and extensions.

Various versions of Synapsis Bridge Control are available: Low budget solutions for small ships as well as complex solutions for Cruise Liners and Offshore Support Vessels. In all versions the navigation system fully integrates with Anschütz gyro compasses, autopilots and manual steering systems.

Raytheon Anschütz meanwhile was awarded several contracts about the supply of Synapsis Bridge Control. Among them are four 15.000 dwt Asphalt Carrier newbuildings for Swedish Wisby Tankers AB at 3.Maj Brodegradiliste shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia, various Offshore supply vessel newbuildings in Singapore and China and a number of megayacht newbuildings at leading European shipyards.

During the past years, Raytheon Anschütz has sold more than 800 Integrated Bridge Systems to shipyards worldwide. This makes the company a leading manufacturer of bridge and navigation systems in the international shipbuilding supply chain.